Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V.

What Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V. does

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V. (DRB) is the official national federation for Olympic wrestling in Germany, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Dortmund. It governs both Freistil (freestyle) and Griechisch-römisch (Greco-Roman) wrestling, organizing the BIRTAT Bundesliga across multiple divisions, the annual Deutsche Meisterschaften, and international events such as the Grand Prix von Deutschland through its wholly-owned subsidiary DRB Service GmbH. As the sole German member federation of United World Wrestling (UWW) and an affiliate of the Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB), DRB controls the official pathway for German athletes to compete at European, World, and Olympic levels, including anti-doping oversight delivered in coordination with NADA.

DRB operates a digital ecosystem centered on its official website (ringen.de), the Ringen.TV streaming platform for live event broadcasts, the DRB Shop (via a Kempa partnership) for fan merchandise, a Vereinsfinder club locator, and an internal member portal (intern.ringen.de) used by 16 regional state organizations and 451 affiliated clubs for registrations and competition entries. The federation's product surface spans competition organization, coach education and DOSB-certified training programs (delivered with the Trainerakademie Köln and IAT Leipzig), mass sport and school sport outreach, and branded content delivered through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and a newsletter.

DRB is structured as a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) with no external shareholders or parent company. Revenue is generated through recurring membership dues from the 451 member clubs, sponsorship agreements led by title sponsor BIRTAT alongside Kempa, foeldeak, Rheinmetall, and Nike Wrestling, merchandise sales, and event-related income, with central operations run by approximately 10 staff under President Jens-Peter Nettekoven and a board of five Vice Presidents.

Name

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V.

Legal name

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V.

Website

https://ringen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V. is the official German national federation for Olympic wrestling, governing 451 member clubs and 63,777 athletes through 16 regional organizations, organizing the Bundesliga and German Championships, and representing Germany within United World Wrestling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Sports Federation Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Combat Sports Leagues (MMA, Boxing, Wrestling) (MPAKAAAI), Professional Tour & Circuit Operators (MPAKADAA)

Keywords

• National wrestling federation
• Olympic wrestling governance
• Sports membership organization
• Wrestling Bundesliga league
• Coach certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The DRB operates through a network of 451 member clubs affiliated via 16 regional state organizations. Annual membership fees from clubs form a core revenue stream supporting federation operations.
2. Sponsorship & Advertising: The federation generates revenue through sponsorship agreements with commercial partners including BIRTAT (main sponsor), Rheinmetall, Kempa, Foeldeak, Nike Wrestling, and others. These partners appear on the Bundesliga, official website, and merchandise.
3. Merchandise & Shop Sales: The DRB operates an official online shop selling fan merchandise (apparel, accessories) via the Kempa Shop, generating revenue from fans and club members.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from organizing national championships (Deutsche Meisterschaften), Bundesliga matches, and international events such as the Grand Prix von Deutschland. Ticket sales and event-related income support operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V. (DRB) is the national federation governing Olympic wrestling in Germany, organizing the BIRTAT Bundesliga team competition, national championships (Deutsche Meisterschaften) in Freistil and Griechisch-römisch styles, and international representation through United World Wrestling. It supports 451 affiliated clubs and 63,777 members via 16 regional state organizations, offering coach education, anti-doping compliance, athlete development pathways, and fan merchandise through partnerships with BIRTAT, Kempa, foeldeak, and Nike Wrestling.

Product overview

Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V. (DRB) operates a comprehensive digital ecosystem centered around its official website (ringen.de), which serves as the primary portal for news, event information, and member services. The federation offers streaming content through Ringen.TV, operates an e-commerce shop for merchandise, organizes the BIRTAT Bundesliga league, and provides educational programs for coaches. The internal portal (intern.ringen.de) serves state organizations and clubs for administrative functions including member registrations and competition entries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIRTAT Bundesliga: The professional wrestling Bundesliga league organized by the DRB.
• RINGEN.TV
• RikA (Ringkampfzeichen)
• Ringer für Ringer

Products and services

• BIRTAT Bundesliga Premium national league competition in Olympic wrestling, organized by the DRB in partnership with title sponsor BIRTAT, featuring home-and-away matchlegs streamed on Ringen.TV and YouTube. Audience: elite wrestlers, Bundesliga clubs, fans, and broadcast partners.
• Deutsche Meisterschaften (German Championships) Annual national wrestling championships in both Freistil and Griechisch-römisch styles, hosted at rotating venues across Germany. Audience: competitive wrestlers, clubs, and spectators.
• Ringen.TV Streaming Platform Official streaming service for live and on-demand wrestling broadcasts, including Bundesliga matches, German Championships, and international events. Audience: fans, clubs, broadcasters, and wrestling followers.
• DRB Shop (Official Merchandise) Official merchandise store selling fan apparel, accessories, and the exclusive Deutschland-Kollektion through the Kempa partnership. Audience: fans, club members, and supporters of the DRB and Bundesliga teams.
• Coach Education & Certification (Bildung & Wissenschaft) Coach training, certification, and continuing education programs including DOSB-certified qualifications through the Trainerakademie Köln, with scientific support from IAT Leipzig. Audience: coaches, trainers, and clubs across the 16 regional state organizations.
• DRB Statistic Portal Online portal delivering competition records, results, league tables, and athlete statistics for German wrestling. Audience: clubs, athletes, media, and fans.
• Breitensport & Schulsport Programs Mass-sport and school wrestling participation programs including the Bundesweiter Schulvergleich national school competition and the Sportassistent/in Breitensport-RINGEN certification. Audience: schools, physical education programs, and recreational wrestlers.
• Grand Prix von Deutschland (International Event) International wrestling Grand Prix event organized in Germany, coordinated via DRB Service GmbH, showcasing German and international athletes. Audience: elite wrestlers, international federations, and fans.

Quantifiable outcome

• 451 member clubs with 63,777 members
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• foeldeakcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025foeldeak is the official mat manufacturer partner of the DRB. The partnership was renewed in November 2025 between DRB President Jens-Peter Nettekoven and new foeldeak Managing Director Michel Frauen. foeldeak mats are used at German Championships and Bundesliga events.
• BIRTATcoreOthersBIRTAT is the main sponsor (Hauptsponsor) of the Deutscher Ringer-Bund and the Bundesliga. BIRTAT branding appears on the Bundesliga name (BIRTAT Bundesliga), official website, and all Bundesliga materials.
• KempacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKempa is the official equipment and apparel partner of the DRB, operating the official DRB Kempa Shop at shop.ringen.de for fan merchandise including the exclusive Deutschland-Kollektion.
• Nike WrestlingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNike Wrestling is listed as a partner supporting the DRB, appearing alongside other equipment sponsors.
• RheinmetallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRheinmetall is listed as a supporter/partner of the DRB, appearing in the partner section of the official website.
• Ringer für RingerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRinger für Ringer is a supporter organization of the DRB, listed in the partner section.
• RIKA (Ringkampfzeichen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRIKA (Ringkampfzeichen) is the official symbol/logo for German wrestling introduced in 2024, supported as a partner initiative of the DRB.
• United World Wrestling (UWW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWW is the international wrestling federation of which DRB is a member. DRB athletes compete under UWW rules at European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games.
• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOSB is the German Olympic Sports Confederation, the umbrella organization for German sports federations. DRB is affiliated with DOSB; DRB coaches receive DOSB-certified qualifications through the Trainerakademie Köln.
• NADA (Nationale Anti Doping Agentur Deutschland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNADA is the German National Anti-Doping Agency. DRB collaborates with NADA for anti-doping testing and prevention, with DRB athlete Aline Rotter-Focken serving as DRB's Anti-Doping Officer.
• DRB Service GmbHcoreOthersDRB Service GmbH is the DRB's wholly-owned subsidiary responsible for organizing major events, including the German Championships and the Grand Prix von Deutschland.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutscher Leichtathletik-Verband (DLV): National governing body for athletics in Germany, also a DOSB umbrella member. Compares directly on federation governance, Bundesliga/national league, club network, Olympic athlete development, and main-sponsor-supported commercialization.
• Deutscher Judo-Bund e.V. National governing body for Olympic judo in Germany, also affiliated with DOSB and the International Judo Federation. Highly comparable structure: non-profit federation, member clubs, Bundesliga/clubs competition, similar sponsorship and digital setup.
• Deutscher Boxsport-Verband e.V. National governing body for amateur boxing in Germany. Comparable as a combat-sports NGB with similar anti-doping, Bundesliga/league structures, and Olympic talent pathways.
• Deutscher Fechter-Bund e.V. National governing body for fencing in Germany, another DOSB combat/individual sport federation. Similar scale, member club structure, and competitive league model.
• USA Wrestling: U.S. national governing body for Olympic wrestling, UWW member. Closest international analogue in scope, governance, and elite athlete development pathway.
• British Wrestling Association: National governing body for Olympic wrestling in Great Britain, UWW member. Directly comparable federation role, size, and event portfolio.
• Deutscher Turner-Bund e.V. National governing body for gymnastics in Germany and a DOSB member. Comparable in scale, governance structure (member clubs, state organizations), event organization (Bundesliga, German Championships), and reliance on sponsorship and membership revenue.

Regional players

• Swiss Wrestling Federation (Schweizerischer Ringerverband): National governing body for Olympic wrestling in Switzerland. Direct functional peer, served by a different national federation rather than a regional subdivision.

Others

• Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB): Umbrella organization for German national sports federations, including DRB. Provides coach certification, funding, and Olympic representation framework that is core to DRB's operating model.
• United World Wrestling (UWW): International federation to which DRB is affiliated. Not a competitor but the parent governing body whose sanctions, rules, and event calendar shape DRB's activity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/DRBDeutscherRingerBund
• Facebookfacebook.com/ringen.drb
• Instagraminstagram.com/ringen_drb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutscher-ringer-bund-e.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutscher Ringer-Bund e.V.